Sheffield United footballers Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have been charged with assault after a police investigation into incidents during the club's Championship play-off semi-final loss to Nottingham Forest.
In a statement on its website, Sheffield United FC said it was 'disappointed' that the two players face criminal action following an inquiry by Nottinghamshire Police.
Brewster, 22, and McBurnie, 26, 'strenuously deny' the charges, having attended voluntary interviews with police.
The allegations relate to United's Sky Bet Championship match against Forest at the City Ground in Nottingham on May 17.
After Sheffield United lost to Forest 3-2 on penalties, victorious Forest fans invaded the pitch - during which Blades' skipper Billy Sharp was assaulted and a man later charged.
Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs, 30, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for 24 weeks last month.
The Yorkshire club added that it was working with others to address concerns about pitch invasions, following a number of similar incidents at other grounds, including at Everton, where Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was involved in a clash with a fan.
It said: 'Sheffield United Football Club is disappointed to learn that Rhian Brewster and Oli McBurnie have been charged following the incidents that took place at the EFL Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest last month.
'Both players voluntarily engaged in interviews with Nottinghamshire Police in the aftermath of the fixture which saw their team-mate, Billy Sharp, the victim of assault in the chaos which followed the final whistle.
'Brewster and McBurnie strenuously deny the charges brought against them and football manager Paul Heckingbottom, who wrote letters to the League Managers' Association, the Professional Footballers' Association, the EFL and FA following a number of pitch invasions last month, including one involving Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, is continuing discussions with key stakeholders in a bid to better protect players and staff in their place of work.'
United declined to comment further.
Speaking to local media at the club's training complex today after returning for pre-season, manager Paul Heckingbottom said: 'As a club and personally, really disappointed. Obviously, we knew the questioning was ongoing.
'We all saw the situation. I have written to the EFL and LMA about protecting their members.
'This is not me speaking about Nottingham Forest or Nottinghamshire Police, this is me talking about football in general, there were incidents all over the place and we can't let that happen again.
'I have written about that protection to your members. Also to the EFL and the FA as governing bodies. I think that's important.
'If anyone sees any incidents like that again next season someone should be losing their job, definitely. It's foolish and unsafe.
'I am looking at the man hours, the expense all this ongoing, why not put police round the pitch? It's cheaper, we would not have had anyone attacked, would not have someone in prison and would not have two professional athletes having to go through it again.'